It Was a Scorcher

Abe and I had planned on doing some Hudson Valley activities this weekend, but it was so freaking hot we didn't feel motivated to leave the house/yard. At least we managed to ride our bikes over the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge at dusk on Friday and then had burgers at Max's before I passed out on the couch watching Real Housewives of New Jersey.

At least the garden is enjoying the heat!

Siobhan came over Saturday night and we had a decadent meal at Max's on Main while listening to Chowderhead.  They play some serious hits for classic rock lovers like me & Sio.

After Max's we retired to the backyard with Abe and Paws and enjoyed the warm, summer night and s'mores made in the microwave.

Veggies on the Horizon

I have a massive layer of rock about 6 inches under the grass.  I think it's cause my town is at the bottom of a mountain.  Either that or there is an ancient burial ground in my back yard. I've given up trying to work my way through the rocks and for the vegetable garden I built a raised bed.

This rhubarb has been in the family for years.  Seriously.  My grandmother grew it along the house for the longest time. When my grandparents passed away, and my aunt & uncle moved into the house, my uncle moved the plants to a more spacious location and they grew like crazy.  I took a cluster of rhubarb from my uncle's patch and planted it by my driveway.

On March 21st it looked like this:

On April 14th it looked like this.  It's creepy.  I think I hear her calling me at night.  Feed me, Ry-Ry, feeeeed me!

Gardening 101: Starting Seeds

We are promised loads of rain in New York this weekend, which normally isn't the best of news, but this time it means all the snow in my yard will finally melt! That means it's time to prep the gardening ventures for 2010.


Toilet Roll Seed-Starters


via You Grow Girl

Newspaper Seed-Starter Pot


via Design*Sponge

Egg Carton Seed Starter


via Instructables

Here is a list of herbs & veggies I plan on growing this year. Let me know if you have any other suggestions!

• Dill
  
• Mint
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Chives
• Rosemary
• Parsley
• Sage
  

• Brussel Sprouts
• Tomatoes (variety)
• Zucchini
  
• Summer Squash

And if I have room, but I don't think I will:

• Beets
• Turnips
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Eggplant
• Cauliflower
  

For the Birds

It's been snowing here since last night and I am starting to get a nasty case of the Spring Gardening Itch. I bought my house in November and barely had time to plant a few crocuses before the ground froze. I've spent 3 months (and 20+ years) dreaming of my very own garden and I want to get started.

Today I am thinking about bird baths. I live in the center of town on a small plot of land, but I dream of curating a backyard that is the talk of the bird community.

However, just like with rugs, curtains and lamp shades, I am finding out that nice bird baths are a lot more expensive than I expected. I might end up making one using these rustic pot instructions from Martha Stewart. [on a side note, check out these instructions for making stone flower pots - so awesome! I'm going to add that to my DIY list too]

Can you guess which one is my dream bird bath that is way out of my budget? Hint: the website describes it "Straight from the depths of a mystical forest..."











[from top down: The Essential Bird Bath $609.99; Wildwoods Rustic Bird Bath $390.75; Faux-Granite Bird Bath $249.95, Birch Birdbath With Cardinal $225.50, Magical Mushrooms Bird Bath $197.00]